The Peak Skyline is my third ultra-marathon and, at 49km, also my shortest official ultra. But don't let the distance fool you into thinking this is an easy one. With 2000m of climb, spread pretty evenly throughout the race it's tough going. Add in stringent cut-offs requiring you to be running the vast majority of the course and you realise you've got a challenge on your hands.
As with all the Beyond Marathon linked races, the organisation and support is top notch. Their events are intentionally smaller and lower key and they excel.
The route is marked throughout; no mean feat when you look at the wide area it encompasses. I think there was only two sections where I wasn't 100% sure I was right and that was due to the next load of markings being out of sight from the last lot. However common sense works wonders in these situations and as such I didn't get lost.
The event involved manual clipping at checkpoints although in the end everyone carried a tracking device. Given the number of checkpoint cards lost en route I think several people were bailed out with technology! 3 of the checkpoints were staffed and these were the cut-off points along with a selection of snacks, drinks and the opportunity to replenish water; although not the scorcher of 2018, it was very warm this year and I filled up at each point.
It's not the sort of event with large supporting crowds (you're in the the middle of nowhere for much of it!) but the support at the finish line was great.
A fantastic touch with the race HQ being next to a sports hall was that there were showers available after the race. Which meant it was possible to get cleaned up before getting back in the car to drive home.
This is a well recommended race. But don't underestimate it.